Have we seen any info about the new Mpeg-4 DVRs from D*

[rgreenpc]

I don't care too much about the TIVO features, as I know what I want to watch.

As long as the PVR is smart enough to record the show if it is shifted for some reason, and knows not to record repeats unless I ask....

Then its OK with me.

[bdraw]

You crack me up.

The ability to record only firt runs is a tivo feature.

How about the ability to delete old shows to make run for new ones?
How about finishing recording a show you are watching without booting you back to live TV.
You don't care if it remembers where you left off on every show rather than just the last show?
Do you think the 30 second skip is overatted too?

I don't know maybe it is just me but when I am looking for a Show I KNOW I want to watch it is nice to be able to search by more than just the first letter.

But that is just me.

Ohh one more thing, I am a big fan of having my shows recorded in once piece.

But to answer your question. I have not heard any new news on the new D* DVR. Personally I expect to hear about it at CES in January.

[rgreenpc]

Ben -

I understand what you are saying... I am just saying most of the TIVO functions don't matter to me.

I time shift not for weeks just days... If I think I am unable to watch it ( I will burn it to a DVD )

ALL DVRs should record your shows in one piece, all should delete the oldest program to make room ( unless you tell it not to make room ) for the newest shows.

I am reffering to the "Tivo suggestions" and showcases, and other features that I really don't make use of.

I would ASSUME(hope) that the people desigining the software for the DVR would have learned from Dish's mistakes and make it work as "Tivo-like" as they legally can.

I agree with you on one point... it was a major mistake for D* to dump TIVO support in their new boxes... look at how badly DISH has bunged it up.

That being said... we don't have much choice about keeping our TIVOs in the new boxes and we don't have any choice if we want to keep DVRing with D*.

Rich

[bdraw]

Here is a picture of the new unit.
http://www.hdbeat.com/2005/11/14/triple-tuner-directv-box-with-atsc/

We have seen it on the commercials too.
The funny part is how much they have spend to advertise this new DVR and it isn't even out yet.

With what they spent on their advertising campaige they could have paid for the Tivo service for like 3 years.
But they do own the company that makes the new DVR so who knowes.
We talked about this during Episode 005 a few weeks ago on my Podcast.

www.twihd.com

[Floyd]

After reading the blurb on the new receiver, I see that it only has one ATSC tuner. That's a shortcoming for me, since one of the reasons for having a tivo unit is to solve the problem of two good local shows airing at the same time. The current unit has two ATSC tuners so you can watch one and record one, or record two off-air shows while watching a third pre-recorded show.
I suppose you could pay extra for the local package and record one show from the two satellite tuners, but why pay an extra 60 or so dollars each year(DTV's nefarious plan, no doubt)?. They are allready de-emphasizing the non-local option for programming choices.
I guess I'll be keeping my current unit as long as they support the tivo guides. Any idea how long they'll do that?

[rgreenpc]

Floyd - They can't shut off the MPEG-2 Stream until they have everyone converted to Mpeg-4, which they have stated that it will be 2 - 3 years ( but then again, who really knows ).

That being said... I am a bit disappointed that they are removing the ATSC tuner, but their logic is of course that they will have all the locals in HD on the D* tuners.

Faulty logic if you ask me. ( but then again we pay for the local package as my wife wants to be able to watch WB, and where we are to get CBS we need a preamp and that seems to kill the WB here ( never more than 20% power ))

I just would like to find a fact sheet on this new box so I know just what features this new box has vs my HD tivo.

[bdraw]

I believe the Tivo contract is through 2008 but can't seem to find the info now. I know we talked about it on my podcast but cnet has since taken the link down and I don't feel like paying the nytimes for archive access.

More tuners is always better, but their are far more things to worry about than the additional OTA tuner. At this point there is no reason to switch to MPEG4 till there are some new channels that are only availble via mpeg4. I might get a receiver when they come out but mostly so I can learn about it. I will be keeping my HDTivo until something better comes around. As for the local package it is only 5 and I have it because I need it for my SD tivo which could go away if I bought another HDTivo. But I like to have my wife's shows recorded on a separate Tivo.

[rgreenpc]

Looks like the first review of the SD DVR is up...

It looks a lot more promising than I initally thought...

Jury is still out a bit.

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=270214&page=1&pp=30

[bdraw]

Dosen't look too bad.
Worst part is that there is no switch tuner feature.
There is a good list of wanted features. But it looks like they got the basics down. The reviewer said it still wasn't as fast as thay had hoped.

Hopefully they will add some features.

[rgreenpc]

I can't see how they wouldn't take the feedback from the 15 and make improvements in the 20...

Faster processor for quicker functionality....
Ability to switch between the tuners...

I am wondering this though....

Say I get 2 HD DVRs, will I then have to replace them when the HMC comes out or will they become part of the HMC system and be used as the inputs for the server?